"To give yourself the best possible chance of playing to your potential, you must prepare for every eventuality."

- Seve Ballesteros

Not sure where to start with this week; not because I've done lots of amazing things, I'm just trying to figure out what it is I actually did, saw, heard, thought about etc. that might be worth expressing.

I think the first thing I'll get off the agenda, given that it's staring you right in the face (left) is another one of my TV discoveries of late (along with Bored To Death, which got a mention in the main feed recently). As you may have learnt while reading this blog, I have a tendency to be on a constant hunt for good TV programmes to keep me entertained in between going out, writing and working. The most recent show to be uncovered comes from David Crane (creator of Friends? You might have heard of it...) and Jeffrey Klarik. Combined with the comedy writing of Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig, they form the recipe for UK and US sitcom, Episodes, about a British couple who take their hit UK TV show to Hollywood to make an American version, which doesn't quite turn out the way they'd planned it. Mangan and Greig play the leads, with a little help from now-out-of-hiatus star, Matt LeBlanc, playing the lead in the US version of their show (this is all starting to sound a bit confusing if you can't grasp the context of it all). I watched the whole series pretty much back-to-back over two days. It takes two episodes to get into it, but once you've got past the flirting, it very much becomes a thing of infatuation. The writing is brilliant, with the constant clash of Americanisms and, erm, Britainisms (?) making it very funny indeed. If you aren't familiar with it, I highly advise you to become so, and quickly.

Moving on, to this week's events... I spent most of Monday recovering from the Sunday previous (the trip out to Jesmond & town for the lads' birthdays) which was one of the main things that sparked the discoveries of the above and Bored To Death.

The lethargy seemed to be carried on throughout Tuesday too, until the night time when I ended up running errands with Danny, doing last minute birthday shopping for his Dad. This trip ended up taking longer than it should have, which resulted in us missing the Barca/Real second leg, not that it mattered really as the end result was what we were expecting (Barca winning) after the first leg.

The highlight of Wednesday was a trip to the pictures (or the cinema for all non-northerners) to see Cedar Rapids, again with Danny. The film was really funny in some parts, but seemed to lack a constant flow throughout. It was

definitely better than going to see Insidious though, which just looks like every shitty horror film I've ever seen, about a possessed something-or-other, living in a house, trying to kill it's own family, blah, blah, blah.

The main thing I wanted to talk about was how much I enjoyed Friday and Saturday, going out for meals with both sides of my family (for those who aren't aware, my parents are seperated). It was so nice to be able to go out with both sides of the respective families and catch up/spend time with them all. Having not seen many of them for a few months, it was a really nice experience and, as is the case every time I come back from uni, I always feel like I appreciate my family a little bit more each time. Almost makes me a bit sad that it doesn't happen more often, but then I guess the novelty would wear off.

Anyway, let's not get all sentimental... beer, cars, boobies, football. Ok, I think I'm sorted. I am looking forward to going back to Bath though, given that I've been away for, what's nearly been, a month and I can't wait to see all my mates and catch up with them all. Feels like forever since me and the boys were in Spain on football tour, and as for my flatmates and everyone who wasn't on tour, it seems like even longer (if that's physically possible).

Here's to enjoying the vast amount of social groups I'm part of,  getting back to Bath and getting this last month of university finished so that I can have a well deserved break and enjoy it all a whole lot more!

Adios for now, amigos.

NB: Although admittedly I'd never really known much about him until his death (as is sadly the case with many of the world's finest human beings), I'd just like to achknowledge the loss of, and pay my respects to, Seve Ballesteros, who passed away yesterday after losing his battle with cancer at the age of 54.

THD. 

"We don't follow no crowd, they follow us. Don't follow no sound, it follows us."

- Elliot Gleave

In terms of personal progress, my life has pretty much been a complete write off this last four days.

Basically, whenever I haven't been drinking (which has been 75% of the time) then I've been sitting with a nose/face completely blocked up with enough snot to put a house together; a very big house, at that.

Picking up where I left off, I had a good night in with Matty and Danny on Thursday night, with the three of us getting merry and watching 'It's All Gone Pete Tong'. What a film, by the way! I remember seeing it advertised many moons back, but it was one of those ones I never really got round to watching. Pleased I finally did though. The film topped off a class night, great to see the boys again and have the three muskateers reunited; it's a rare thing these days, with me and Matty always being at university.

It was all about the Royal Wedding the day after that, which was of course accompanied by a fitting street party (despite the poor weather). I have to admit, I got right into watching the wedding, even though I'd been nay-saying about the whole thing and claiming I wasn't interested in the whole thing. In the end, I realised it was quite an iconic moment for my generation and I ended up getting all sentimental like a right tart! Great laugh at the street party and it was nice to have a bit of socialise with the neighbours, who would have otherwise remained fairly anonymous still to this day. Spent all day getting bevied up and called it a day around half 11 at night, having started around 2ish; quite a shift to say the least!

Speaking of shifts, I was a bit lacking in brain power turning up for the vote counting on the Saturday morning at 9 o'clock sharp! Two days of drinking had certainly taken their toll. Still managed to soldier through though and made myself a nice £70 for a 7 hour shift of envelope opening and vote counting/sorting. After that, I spent the rest of the day sleeping, feeling pretty ropey with this flu malarky.

Then I guess that brings us to yesterday's antics, which included another day of drinking, this time for one of the lads birthdays. We started at 1 in the afternoon and it was a good 12 our stint all the way until the taxi home at half 1. Another great effort, which included trips to Jesmond, Newcastle and a very refreshing trip to a home-made bar (no, I haven't lost my mind). A very canny bloke, whose name shall remain nameless for the sake of keeping his little treasure anonymous, invited us to his garden to enjoy the pleasures of his very own bar. Pints of Fosters for a £1 is all that I'm saying on the matter. Magic. And, to top it all off, Arsenal beat Manchester United which should hopefully make for an entertaining end to the Premier League title race! A good day for Arsenal fans and neutrals alike.

All in all, it's been a pretty demanding last couple of days, and it's no surprise that I'm still not over this flu or whatever it is. I think a few days of R&R could well be on the cards, but it's been completely worth it and I'd happily do it all again.

Let's hope I'm not overcome by liver-failure or an alcohol-related heart-attack before my next post!

NB: Hats off to the Yanks for nailing Osama. I look forward to the flush of Bin Laden death related jokes in all ranges of popular media formats.

THD.

"Who will rise? It would be so nice to hear you say, 'Thank you for the good times'."

- Andy Bell

With this whole new format I've got going on, updating as I see fit and just covering the highlights of the days in between each blog post, I've realised that it's important to focus on the big things that have happened, be they good or bad. However, one thing I've come to notice is that over these last few days, there's been absolutely nothing to complain about; not even the tiniest little thing.

I always say to my friend John that when reality finally hits us, it's gonna be horrible. I imagine the word 'reality', in the graffiti writing, sculpted in the shape of a fist, coming out of nowhere and twatting me a good one right in the chops, but only after twatting John first, just so that I get a glimpse of what's to come. Until that inevitable day, however, I figure I might as well ride the wave of happiness and just take it as it comes.

The Mancs turned over Schalke in their own back yard with a 2-0 win, but in fairness they thoroughly deserved it so no complaints there. All eyes were on Manuel Neuer, who has definitely got a future as one of the best goalkeepers in the world (and you can take note of that one). Barcelona also managed to do a job on Real in their own back yard, mimicking a 2-0 scoreline, but in a very different game. The tie, in particularly Lionel Messi's brilliance, was tarnished by poor referreeing decisions (Pepe sent off for a nothing challenge) and a constant barrage of diving and harrassing the referee from the Barca players. I'm not suggesting that Barcelona wouldn't have still got the same result, but the decision to send Pepe off changed the game and took away the quality of Lionel Messi's abilities.


In unrelated news, I've spent the last two days catching up with Robbie and Mark, having lunch and a chinwag with both. You always know when you've got good mates like them two, cause you can just pick the phone up, meet up and the crack will be exactly the same as it was when you left them. Good to see they're both doing well.

As for the rest of today, it's looking like a night in with Danny and Matty. I can only imagine it will include getting drunk. dabbling in films, PES 2011 and takeaway food. Ah, life is sweet. Anyway, must dash, it's time to pick my poison for this evening.

Ciao for now.

THD.

"Tell me tomorrow, I'll wait by the window for you..."

- Stephen Fretwell

I'd like to tell you that it's been a massively eventful last couple of days, but alas that's not the case. It's been pretty much same old, same old with regards to catching up with friends and getting the latest on the scandals that have graced the walls of Bedlingtonshire and beyond.

I might sound pessimistic, but deep down I know I'm really appreciating being back. In particular, it's been good to get back and see my best mate, Danny, who's like the Smithy to my Gavin (yes, that's right, I'm going to be referencing G&S a lot for the next couple of days). Nice to be getting up to the old antics and having the luxury to just chat with him about shite all day. I haven't had the chance to catch the other muskateer of the clan, Matty, but I'm sure I will before we both head back to uni.

I was out for my casually-adopted uncle's birthday on Sunday night, which was a real good laugh. Always enjoy the company of Uncle Maxwell, and Sunday was no exception. Most of the lads who were out are lads who I met through football for the Block & Tackle, when I was playing for their pub team. It's amazing really, the team has changed so much  and there's so many new faces, but the crack has never changed. It might not be the best football team, but it's definitely got the best crack around.

Spent most of Monday chilling, apart from a cheeky bit of BBQ food over at the Kewn residence. And yes, this chilling did happen to include the watching of two seasons worth of Gavin & Stacey, which has left me with only the 3rd and final season to watch, along with a head full of out-of-date G&S banter; but nevertheless, I'll still be rinsing it to death.

Looking ahead, I'm eagerly anticipating tonight's Champions League tie between Man U & Schalke, hoping that zee Germans, or should I say Spaniards in reference to their new hero (if you catch my drift, amigos), can put a dent in the Red Devils' armour.

But for now, I must shower... got a day's worth of dirt on from yesterday & it's just not right.

THD.

"Sympathy is no substitute for action."

- David Livingstone

Well... it's been a while.

I have to be honest, given the fact that I've let the blog drift so far from my ability to catch-up, I really considered just closing it down. The rigours of university had very nearly beaten me, but I guess in the end I just miss having the opportunity to think aloud and vent the shit in my head.

It's been a long couple of months, in between creative projects, portfolio submissions and book reports, I seem to have been filling the gaps with nights out and the usual social escapades that occur in the life of a student. Writing more stuff just isn't appealing after 10,000 odd words of 'work', and alcohol consumption is always going to win the race to favouritism.

Most recently, I've been on tour with the football lads at the Lloretfest 2011; and what a tour it was! Although the football side of things was disappointing, (the fact that I played literally five minutes of one of the most shambolic, Mickey-Mouse football tournaments I've ever experienced, followed by leaving straight after on the tour bus should tell you a lot about it) the social side very much made up for it. It was good to spend some quality time with my close mates, as well as expand upon and make new friendships with some of the lads I only partially knew.

Other than that, it's good to be home again. Never really missed the family that much while I've been away, cause I know they're only 5 hours up the road, but I think this time round I've been really looking forward to seeing them all, for whatever particular reason. Still waiting for the mother to get home from Tenerife, but so far it's been good to see my brother and my Nanna.

Anyway, Arsenal vs. Bolton on the box, so it's TTFN.

THD.

(Friday, 18th February, 2011)

“Help, I’m alive. My heart keeps beating, like a hammer.”

- Emily Haines

Despite the sheer random selection process which gave birth to it, my poem for the Writer’s Workshop seminar actually ended up being quite good. I found myself really wanting to create the scene where the poem was & the whole thing felt really, believable, if that’s the right word.

I managed to come up with this scenario where two people, a man & a woman, were at a museum. Together, they both gazed at this beautiful vase that was on display, as it slowly turned around on the display turntable. To cater for the needs of the word ‘overwhelming’, I decide to go with the idea that a moment of true spontaneous delight occurred as the both looked on at this vase. I felt like it was one of those moments where you have an epiphany; the kind of moment when you & someone you care about both realise that your appreciation for this inanimate object mirrors the way you both feel about each other. I was really pleased with how I’d captured the whole thing & it went down really well with the rest of the writer’s in the seminar. Not bad for a lad who supposedly hates poetry, eh?

It was more work after that, as me & the rest of the Creative Project group got together for another meeting, looking to compile our individual scenes to create our film’s script, in its entirety. The only snatch was that I had left my memory stick at home, which meant showing off my efforts was not to be on the cards. Nevertheless, we all got up to speed on where we were up to and formed an action plan ready for the shooting that would take place next week.

I went home & found myself with little to do after the excitement of what felt like a real, working day. I spent some time chilling with the flatmates, & watching the odd episodes of this & that, then after my day had completely fizzled out, I found myself sitting on Katy’s PS2, reuniting myself once more with the old faithful, Crash Bandicoot. Safe to say I didn’t move from my perch until about two in the morning, at which point I had square eyes & an extremely wired mind.

Three hours later I was still awake, having been too functional to sleep, despite having drawn a design for a potential future tattoo to try and tire my mind out. I decided to ring my Dad in Canada, knowing fine well that he would definitely be awake for a chat, which could well do the trick & put me to sleep (no disrespect on his crack, of course).True to form he was up & we spoke for an hour, having a catch up life & all that jazz. Finally, at six o’clock in the morning, I managed to clock out for the day…

THD.

(Thursday, 17th February, 2011)

“Lazy days calling to you: 'Come out to play'… the future lies with you.”

- Robbie Williams

The day when nothing happened; that’s how I’d sum this one up.

I spent the entire day waiting for the plenary to come around at five o’clock. I did manage to use the time to work on my script for the Creative Project, which was relieving because the previous day’s attempts had certainly made me question my capabilities.

Finally, after transportation in the evermore familiar taxi service that is the Mellow Yellow Mobile, the five o’clock plenary had arrived; and what a waste of time it was. Having anticipated a good session of learning from another experienced writer, fate decided to deal me a set of cards that were definitely lacking in man-power. Instead of the enriching my life with some more fruitful knowledge about the literary world, they decided it would be a good idea to let a group do their Creative Project, which happened to be a mock-version of ‘one minute’, or something along those lines. ‘Money well spent’, I thought.

So after a day of disappointments, it was back home to work on some poetry for Friday’s seminar. I had to construct a ‘terza rima’ (that’s a type of poem, apparently) about an overwhelming vase. Random, I know, but such are the mysterious ways in which Mimi Thebo works.

Nothing much else to report unfortunately; here’s to tomorrow being a bit more fulfilling.

THD.

"At four o'clock today I'm gonna punch you in your face."

- Mike Skinner

Today was a day full of what I can only really seem to summarise as 'misfires'.

Having hung up my boots for the 2nd team's Wednesday games, I was faced with temptation when my seminar (which I usually miss football for) had been called off. The usual lecture that we have before hand was still very much on, but there was a high chance that I could get away with missing it. However, I wanted to prove to myself that my university life came first & decided to attend the lecture instead of joining the boys on the bus to go to Southampton. 'Good for me', I thought to myself... couldn't have been more wrong.

The lecture I attended was pretty standard & definitely wasn't worth missing football for, with at least a good half of the lecture actually being a bit of a cop-out, as we were being asked to write poetry. All in all, the whole thing was a disappointment & I was left feeling like I was missing out on the football. Not the best start to the day. Made even worse later when I discovered that the lads got beat 4-1.

The rest of my day was spent trying to work on a script, which I wasn't having much luck with at all. My imagination seemed to deteriorate every time I tried to write something worth reading, which left me lacking in motivation, which inevitably fuelled the dreaded illness that all writer's fear - writer's block. I soldiered through it for as long as I could, but as I have come to learn from previous experience, it's better to quit before the brain aneurysm kicks in.

My sanity was partly rescued when I had the privalege of watching the Arsenal/Barca' match. Always promises good football for the neutral, but this one provided a great competition, with Arsenal coming back in the last 15 minutes from a goal down to win 2-1, with goals from Van Persie & second half super-sub Andrei Arshavin giving the Gunners lead into the second leg. First blood Arsenal, but will it be enough? Looking forward to round two at the Nou Camp.

THD.

"Unless you love someone, nothing else makes any sense."

- Edward Estlin Cummings

The day where millions of people across the world are united by love; I am, of course, talking about the world's singletons coming together to share the lack of reciprocated love in their lives.

There are two kinds of people who can be found on Valentine's Day: the singles & the couples, with the couples being so painfully together that they actually become one entity for the day. I have to admit, this year I am sitting on the singletons side of that very marketable fence, known as love, so you may begin to think that this could be a fairly biased account of such a day. But, I'm honest enough to acknowledge that all the negativity that us singletons bombard Valentine's Day with comes down to the simple fact that, without beating around the bush, it's pretty shit on this side of the fence; and anybody who tries to suggest otherwise is either a liar or a sociopath.

I've always believed that Valentine's Day is an opportunity for the retail companies to exploit the publics perception of 'love' for their own financial gain, brainwashing couples to try & prove their feelings for one another with gifts & pleasanties, based on some messed up social expectancy that seems to have been developed over the years. Having said that though, there really is something special about being with the one you love on Valentine's Day & there is no better feeling than sharing your love with someone & exercising your right to be romantic. Personally, I'm all about the romanticism; I've just got a thing for showing a woman how important she is & making her feel like the most amazing person in the world. It's like Hank Moody's old man says on Californication, '...there's not a woman that I've crossed paths with that I haven't fallen in love with, whether it was for ten minutes or ten years.' It's pointless trying to argue with it, I guess that's just who I am, unfortunately. I'd like to say that if I could be the young, slick, 'love them then leave them' kind of guy I would, but I don't think that's true either. It would seem I have too much respect for the ladies (guess that's a 'thank you very much' to you both, Mam & Dad). All that potential & no-one to share it with eh? Well, I guess you win some, you lose some.

Putting aside the above, today was actually a pretty straight forward day, really. I didn't have university, so at least my exposure to the Lovebug was fairly limited. I mostly occupied myself with university work, but was also reintroduced to an old friend, thanks to a certain Katy McSparron. The friend I speak of is none other than Naughty Dog's finest, Crash Bandicoot; the hero of my childhood videogame experiences. Katy has brought her PlayStation 2 down from home & along with a bunch of Singstar games was Mr Bandicoot himself. It's amazing how even after all these years, it's still one of the most addictive & entertaining games ever. It's certainly prompted me to perhaps revisit my childhood entertainment, with the likes of 'Nintendo' & 'Megadrive' also coming in to mind. Unfortunately, I believe that I may end up using CB as my replacement for alcohol in the coming weeks. The devil certainly makes work for idle hands...

After a day of pretty much staying in the 'anti-Valentine's Day' bubble, I eventually decided to go out & socialise with a few of the lads. This wasn't the best part of my night, but it was a good start. I ended up having a swift coke with the boys, while they exercised their right to indulge in a beverage of the alcoholic variety. Following a decent bit of socialising, we headed back to Waterside to call it a night.

I must confess, at this point, that I did have plans for the evening once we'd returned from our cheeky 'drink' in town (I used quotes for 'drink' because without alcohol, I'm not sure you can seriously call it that). On the preface that lonliness is a drink best shared between two, I'd made a pact with Ellen that we'd keep each other company to avoid sitting in our rooms & letting the inevitable 'Valentine's Day comedown' get the better of us. So I went over to hers at about half one in the morning & we did the usual 'stay up til silly o'clock in the morning & enjoy each others company' routine, as it had worked so well in the past. Without getting all sentimental, I think it was probably the best night we've spent together, cause we just had such a good laugh & it really took both our minds away from the reality of the day in general. I think it was nice to find ourselves, at the end of a day which promised disappointment, feeling happy with life & enjoying the overwhelming feeling of contentment that seemed to be surrounding us both.

In true cheesy, creepy, Valentine's Day fashion, it actually turned out to be a pretty good day after all...

- THD.